Harmed Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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harmed

[hɑːrmd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

physical injury

To cause physical harm or injury to someone or something.

Synonyms

damage, hurt, injure, wound.

Examples of usage

  • He was harmed in the accident.
  • The chemicals harmed the environment.
  • The new law aims to protect children from being harmed.
Context #2 | Verb

emotional damage

To cause emotional pain or suffering to someone.

Synonyms

distress, hurt, upset, wound.

Examples of usage

  • His words harmed her deeply.
  • The betrayal harmed their friendship.
  • The negative comments harmed her self-esteem.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Experiencing harm can lead to long-term psychological effects, such as anxiety and depression.
  • Understanding harm includes the distinction between physical and emotional damage, both can be equally impactful.
  • People often react differently to being harmed, with responses varying based on personal history and resilience.

Legal Studies

  • In law, harm can be a basis for lawsuits, particularly in personal injury claims where a party seeks compensation for damages.
  • The term 'harm' encompasses both physical injuries and financial losses resulting from another's actions.
  • Types of harm recognized in legal contexts vary, including emotional distress, physical injury, and punitive harm.

Medicine

  • Recognition of harm is crucial in medical ethics, guiding healthcare professionals to do no harm in patient treatment.
  • Harm reduction strategies aim to minimize negative outcomes, particularly in contexts like addiction and public health.
  • The phrase 'non-maleficence' is a key principle in medical ethics emphasizing the obligation to not cause harm.

Literature

  • Themes of harm and healing are prevalent in literature, exploring how characters cope with pain and injury.
  • Classic tragedies often focus on the harm inflicted by fate or human action, leading to the downfall of characters.
  • Many poets have written about harm as both physical and emotional, capturing the deep impact on human experiences.

Origin of 'harmed'

Main points about word origin

  • The term comes from Old English 'hermian', meaning to make a loud noise, which evolved to signify causing injury or damage.
  • Related words include 'harmful', which describes things that can cause harm or danger.
  • The concept of harming can be traced to the root notion of damage both physically and emotionally.

The word 'harmed' originated from the Old English word 'hearmian', meaning 'to hurt, injure, or afflict'. Over time, the meaning evolved to encompass both physical and emotional harm. The concept of harm has been a central aspect of human society since ancient times, with laws and moral codes often focusing on preventing harm to individuals and communities.


See also: harm, harmful, harmfully, harmfulness, harming, harmless, harmony, unharmed.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,881, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.